Fundraiser a step in the right direction

Matt Chesher and Kirsten Walker are taking each day a step at a time after the loss of their daughter Scarlett Belle.

They’re hoping their participation in national fundraiser Walk for Prems this month will help to support the families of premature babies.

The Hillside couple will walk at the October 29 event as part of a team named in baby Scarlett’s honour.

Walk for Prems 2017 is the largest
annual fundraiser by Life’s Little Treasures Foundation – a charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or before
37 weeks gestation.

Scarlett was born at 24 weeks on January 5 this year and lived for just 22 days.

“It was a roller coaster in hospital,” Matt said.

“We were expecting our first child and everything was going fine … we were on holiday when all of a sudden she arrived early.

“All that support has been incredible. We have been making sure that we have time for each other because times like these can be really hard on couples.”

Scarlett is never far from her parents’ thoughts. Matt said they “give her a kiss” every day.

He said the walk will be an opportunity for the couple to share support with others like themselves and raise awareness.

“You don’t know much about premmie babies and how common it is until you find yourself in that situation,” Matt said.

“We just don’t want people to go through what we went through and we want to raise some funds for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation to find out more about premature births.”

The Melbourne Walk for Prems event is on Sunday, October 29 at Palms Lawn, Albert Park Lake, Albert Park. Online registrations close on October 26. Another walk will be held on the same day at Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat.